Loading Spinner

Paintings

Painting is arguably the most saleable form of art. It is also among the oldest of mediums, dating back more than 31,000 years to prehistoric cave paintings. In the West, painting did not surpass tapestry in importance until the 18th century, though many masterworks date to the Renaissance or earlier. Painting later went out of fashion from the 1970s through the 1990s as a mode of expression for contemporary artists.

In the new millennium, painting has recovered its popularity, and the practice has remained fairly unchanged. Paints remain a mixture of colored pigment and binder, and common subject matters still comprise imagery or inspiration from the objects or events in artists’ daily lives. The contemporary painter’s palette consists not only of colors, but the range of historic painting styles.

Recent ballooning fine art sales figures reflect a long-recorded trend that closely ties paintings sales to the boom (and bust) of the economy. 

Notable paintings sold at auction include:

  • Paul Gauguin’s “Nafea faa ipoipo? (When will you marry?)” of 1892 was bought for $300 million during a private sale in 2015
  • Just three months later, Christie’s announced the sale of “Les Femmes d'Alger (Women of Algiers)” by Pablo Picasso of 1955 for $179.4 million – the highest priced painting ever sold at auction at the time
  • Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci sold for $450.3 million on November 15, 2017 at Christie’s

See more about the Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold on the Invaluable blog.

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

Harrison (J. C.) Mallards Taking Off, original watercolour & gouache with pencil.
Apr 07, 4:00 PM EDT
Harrison (J. C.) Mallards Taking Off, original watercolour & gouache with pencil.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥600- ¥800
¥20,50029 Bids
Green (Roland, 1890-1972) Kentish Plover and Young, original watercolour.
Apr 07, 4:00 PM EDT
Green (Roland, 1890-1972) Kentish Plover and Young, original watercolour.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥200- ¥300
¥1,90028 Bids
Bracha Guy, Terrace Table, Signed Oil on Canvas passed flip
Apr 20, 9:15 PM EDT
Bracha Guy, Terrace Table, Signed Oil on Canvas passed flip
by DP Test House
Est: 7,000 kr- 8,000 kr
2,400 kr3 Bids
bp parity badge
Charles P. Appel (AM 1857-1928) Tonalist landscape
Aug 16, 10:00 AM EDT
Charles P. Appel (AM 1857-1928) Tonalist landscape
by Eldred's
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$7000 Bids
bp parity badge
Charles P. Appel (AM 1857-1928) Tonalist landscape
Aug 16, 10:00 AM EDT
Charles P. Appel (AM 1857-1928) Tonalist landscape
by Eldred's
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$7000 Bids
bp parity badge
Winter Scene Folk Art Scene of Marietta, PA
Jul 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Winter Scene Folk Art Scene of Marietta, PA
by Eldred's
Est: $100- $200
$300 Bids
bp parity badge
Van Lowe Acrylic on Panel Paris Street Scene
Jul 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Van Lowe Acrylic on Panel Paris Street Scene
by Eldred's
Est: $80- $160
$250 Bids
bp parity badge
Horatio Henry Couldery (British, 1832-1893) 'A Pup of Great Promise'
Jul 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Horatio Henry Couldery (British, 1832-1893) 'A Pup of Great Promise'
by Eldred's
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$1,0000 Bids
bp parity badge
Valentine Thomas Garland (British, 1868-1914) Portrait of a Pug
Jul 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Valentine Thomas Garland (British, 1868-1914) Portrait of a Pug
by Eldred's
Est: $600- $800
$6000 Bids
bp parity badge
Kate Beard (British, 19th/20th Century) The Australian Terrier 'Yonka'
Jul 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Kate Beard (British, 19th/20th Century) The Australian Terrier 'Yonka'
by Eldred's
Est: $400- $600
$4000 Bids
bp parity badge
Winter Scene Folk Art Scene of Marietta, PA
Jul 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Winter Scene Folk Art Scene of Marietta, PA
by Eldred's
Est: $100- $200
$300 Bids
bp parity badge
Van Lowe Acrylic on Panel Paris Street Scene
Jul 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Van Lowe Acrylic on Panel Paris Street Scene
by Eldred's
Est: $80- $160
$250 Bids
bp parity badge
Horatio Henry Couldery (British, 1832-1893) 'A Pup of Great Promise'
Jul 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Horatio Henry Couldery (British, 1832-1893) 'A Pup of Great Promise'
by Eldred's
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$1,0000 Bids
bp parity badge
Valentine Thomas Garland (British, 1868-1914) Portrait of a Pug
Jul 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Valentine Thomas Garland (British, 1868-1914) Portrait of a Pug
by Eldred's
Est: $600- $800
$6000 Bids
bp parity badge
Kate Beard (British, 19th/20th Century) The Australian Terrier 'Yonka'
Jul 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Kate Beard (British, 19th/20th Century) The Australian Terrier 'Yonka'
by Eldred's
Est: $400- $600
$4000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Paintings


Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes

Tajan

Tajan

Swann Auction Galleries

Swann Auction Galleries